National B series

[bigred5765]

sounds like a fantatsic idea, i know loads of people were complaining last year they didnt get in for nats,
agreed it would have to be same day as nationals though

[Chris Green]

I love the idea, especially if its the same format as the nats. 2WD and 4WD in the same weekend.

[jimmy]

I'd be up for it, me and mrs.jimmy can't go race at a National - I might be able to now I'm an F3 but she sure can't.

[David Church]

It may be possible, but I would say a 2 or maximum 3 round series. It is a massive amount of work to host a National, as I am finding out and we already struggle to have enough tracks to hold Nationals. But maybe not even call it a series, maybe a Grand Prix, or something like this. But would think a smaller amount of races to start would make sense.
But a good idea As long as it doesn't take away from regionals

[Evo_Snr]

Originally Posted by Nick Goodall

I was told my our regional rep that although i scored enough points to get an F2 or F3 (can't remember exactly) it still didn't count as you HAVE to do 3 Rounds regardless??

Anyone else know on this out of interest?

Check out this Thread,We had the same problem last year
http://www.oople.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5190

[Gnarly Old Dog]

I have the same problem as Nick. As a returning ex-F1 graded driver, I didn't complete enough regionals in 07 to get anything other than an F5 so my 08 national plans are all up in the air. My regional rep confirmed a minimum of 3 rounds were required to obtain an F2 or F3 rating.

Ref the return of RRCi or a National B-series. Personally wouldn't be for me as my mates are F1 and doing the nats (and these days I go racing for the social crack as much as anything else).
Anyway, the locality of my regionals make them feel far more like nationals given that most are over 2 hours drive away
Shame that the attendances aren't as high as I remember they used to be. Those that go are a good crowd though.

Will try to get my F2 this year for a full on national onslaught next...

Ho humm...

[LEGEND]

Yes i think that a national B series would be great as it would let people who have never been to a national get used to it and not all of use are able to get into the nationals. So i personally think that this would be a great idea. I myself have never been to a national but would love to go as i would find out just how good the rest of the country is compared to the LEGEND.

[josh_smaxx]

A national B series would be awesome......... if only my parents would tak me Id find a way of getting there

[chris68nufc]

I also think that it is a very good idea. I was hoping to get my F2 rating last year but since i had my first child it stopped me going to at least 2 of the outdoor Regionals dropping my licence from F3 to F4. Now at the indoor Regionals i am in with the lesser abled drivers (no offence to anybody) and find it very difficult to get away from them. I was hoping to do nationals but have got no chance now with my F4. Looks like im going to have to get my head down in this years outdoor Regionals and get an F2 if its possible and try next year for Nationals.

[Col]

Here's a can of worms - lets open it!

If you are not dedicated enough to complete all (or enough) of your regionals, do you really deserve to get an F2/3/4 over someone who is a "lesser" driver, but has taken the time to attend all the meetings?

[pro4nut]

Surely the step down for the national series already exists as the regional series.

With some regions struggling for 30 people to attend wouldn't a second national series dilute this even furthur?

[jim76]

Originally Posted by Col

Here's a can of worms - lets open it!

If you are not dedicated enough to complete all (or enough) of your regionals, do you really deserve to get an F2/3/4 over someone who is a "lesser" driver, but has taken the time to attend all the meetings?

I quite agree. As Pro4nut says, some regions are struggling for numbers so returning drivers should start there first to support their region.

I'm not sure on the B series diluting regionals, as long as they are the same day as nationals, as all regions obviosuly avoid clashes with these. Plus most people who are prepared to travel and can afford nationals already go. It wouldn't really be in the interest of an F4 to do the B series and not his regionals as he would slip back to an F5. And he would no doubt want to get an F3 through his region so he has a better chance of getting into the full nationals the following year? Or you could just make it an entry requirement for the B series that they completed the prior years regional series.

There is no doubt that the bigger meetings are more enjoyable with more closely contested racing than some regions, but we should safeguard the regionals as this is the real beginner introductory level.

[Gnarly Old Dog]

Originally Posted by pro4nut

Surely the step down for the national series already exists as the regional series.

With some regions struggling for 30 people to attend wouldn't a second national series dilute this even furthur?

Totally agree.
The current formula works well and the end of year finals do provide good experience for those wanting to take the next step up.

We just need to find a way to encourage more people to attend the regionals so that their entry numbers are bolstered and provide a national-like atmosphere.
Short of dragging people off the street and holding them hostage, I've no idea how to do that though

RRCI has been a great series in the past and I'm sure it would get great interest again but it would be detrimental to the BRCA in general if it diluted the regionals.

As for Cols can of worms - you're right. No one has a given right to be upgraded in they fail to meet the minimum requirements (as did I in 2007). But it does make for some interesting heat gradings which can create frustration and friction for organisers and racers alike.
Lets just hop we can all remember that it's all for fun anyway.

Besides, the only difference between between heat 1 and heat 12 is that the guys in the top heat mean it when they take you out

[MK999]

Maybe find some big RC companies wanting to sponsor regionals, make them a bigger event with sponsors and advertising, get the sponsors to throw in some prizes, preferably 'tiered' like the MK racing events at newbury, so everyone has a shot at something

[mw02veg]

I agree Andy, the regionals should be the support series to the nationals another separate series will only dilute the importance of these race meetings. They are run to a similar standard to the nationals and drivers starting out have an opportunity to learn to drive set their car’s up and reach a standard of driving and marshaling before trying to compete at a national which is the elite series in this country.

Regionals have a more relaxed atmosphere but still very competitive you can take these race meeting’s to gain all the knowledge and skills you need to compete then take the next step to the nationals. Racing is FUN and should always treated this way but you can have great competitive racing in your local area

[MK999]

Originally Posted by mw02veg

I agree Andy, the regionals should be the support series to the nationals another separate series will only dilute the impotence of these race meetings....

quoted for typo of the week

[mw02veg]

corrected sorry !!!!!

Mike

[Stu]

Originally Posted by Nick Goodall

I was told my our regional rep that although i scored enough points to get an F2 or F3 (can't remember exactly) it still didn't count as you HAVE to do 3 Rounds regardless??

Anyone else know on this out of interest?

Nick, as Eric suggested you need to take this up with Paul & Charlie.

Your regional rep has, I think, mis-understood the way the regions F grades are calculated.

Stu.

[David Church]

At EPR for the Regionals I am hoping to do more commentating which will add to the National style feel!!! As Scotty said at the Euro's

"It's right out of the ball park!!!!"

I will be working on my 1 liners haha

[JCJC]

Surley the point is that a lot of racers who do the local Regional meetings also apply to do some or all of the Nationals, Nationals are oversubscribed and there are a few of us F4's & F5's who find it difficult to get in.
Its OK being on the reserve list but booking accomodation and trying to arrange your life around a weekend that may not happen can be tiresom.

A couple of other large events that we can book into in advance and be more sure of getting a place may be good for us. (and the venues running the meetings hopfully)

The advantage of using the same weekend as the National meetings is that Regionals around the country would not clash with them, the disadvantage is that we would have to decide which to apply for, apply for a National place on the chance there is space or apply for the "B" series meetings, not apply for both obviously.